About Sabrina Rockoff

Sabrina Presnell Rockoff focuses her practice on advising on employee relations issues, developing human resources practices, policies and contracts, employee-related investigations, representing employers in front of governmental agencies and in federal and state courts, and representing employers in union matters. Chair of the firm's Employment and Labor Law Team, Sabrina was named to Business North Carolina magazine’s 2014 Legal Elite list of the top lawyers in North Carolina in the Employment category.Sabrina also assists employers with matters such as: •Drafting employee contracts and non-compete agreements•Preparing and revising employment policies and handbooks•Advising on employee complaints, leave issues and terminations•Responding to EEOC Charges, NC DOL Complaints, and OSHA Citations•Investigating employee sexual harassment complaints and other internal investigations•Determining whether employees are properly classified and paid•Representing employers in NC DOL and US DOL wage audits•Defending lawsuits brought by employees in federal and state courts•Training supervisors and employees on union avoidance tactics•Negotiating collective bargaining agreements with unions•AAP, Compliance and OFCCP AuditsExperience Highlights: •Wage and Hour Audit: Successfully represented several local companies, including several restaurants, in audits by the Department of Labor. •Disability Discrimination Suits: Successfully defended one of the largest U.S. forest products manufacturers in a disability discrimination lawsuit brought under the Americans with Disabilities Act, including successfully arguing an issue of first impression under the ADA before the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. The ruling resulted in summary judgment for the client on all claims and an award of litigation and appellate costs against the plaintiff.•Sex Harassment Investigations: Investigates sexual harassment complaints made by or against management and executive level employees.•Race Discrimination Suits: Successfully defended a Fortune 100 pharmacy retailer against a lawsuit brought by a former employee alleging race discrimination, retaliation and constructive discharge. The case ended with award of summary judgment for the client on all claims and award of litigation costs against the plaintiff. •Preparation of Employment-Related Agreements and Policies: Has assisted many corporations, large and small, in the preparation of employment agreements, severance agreements, employee handbooks and other related policies. •Largest proposed OSHA fine in North Carolina history: Involved in representation of a large manufacturer in the largest Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fine in North Carolina history. Successfully negotiated a fine reduction from $1,000,000 to $110,000 paid over twelve months. Subsequently, the client was defended in a suit brought by seventy-one individual plaintiffs/former employees seeking class action relief alleging various injuries from mercury poisoning. •Employee and employee benefits advice for non-profit organizations: Has represented and assisted multiple non-profit organizations with employment and employee benefits advice, with an understanding of the issues specific to many non-profit employers.Community Involvement: Sabrina is a member of the board of N.C. Stage Theatre Company, a volunteer at her children’s school, a graduate of Leadership Asheville and Leadership Raleigh, Chair of the Firm’s Practice Development Committee, and a member of the Firm’s Management Committee. She also frequently trains human resources professionals and managers through her involvement with Western Carolina Industries, the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association and the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. Sabrina also serves on the YWCA Board of Directors and the Board of Trustees for Congregation Beth HaTephila.